Random field values in recordset

[clivehenderson]

Hi I'd like to set a field in every record of a dataset to a random value.

I have a php function which returns the random value.

so far I've had help to setup an update statement in a string which does the job but only produces a random number when the string is composed and copies the same number to all records.

I've been directed to this forum as there is probabbly a better way to do this.

I would appreciate any help at all.
Thanks
Clive

 

[vacunita]

You can use rand() directly in your query.

UPDATE table_name set field_name=rand()
This will output a random floating point number into the column specified by field_name.

However if you want an integer, you may need to use truncate and manipulate the output a bit:

UPDATE table_name SET field_name=truncate((rand()*[red]1000[/red]),0)

The red number will need to change depending on how many rows you may have.








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